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What does this thick washer do??

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middie

middie

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I have been restoring a 79 Californian Midget here in Australia, and have just finished converting from LHD to RHD. The easiest way to achieve this was to have a welder swap across the top and face of each footwell and line up all the holes again.

This came out great, and I'm very happy with the result . . . but . . . somehow the large metal "washer" at the front of the driver's footwell (where the steering column goes through) went missing. There is a much thinner "gasket/washer" on the inside of the cockpit which I could use to have another thick one rebuilt if necessary.

My question is, what does this large thick washer do??? I can't see how it connects in any way to the steering column. Is it just there to stop movement when driving???

The Moss diagram shows the actual piece as part of the entire steering structure, but doesn't show it as an individual item.

Wazza
 

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This is where the washer goes.

Wazza
 

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Warren, it both hold the steering column in place and is part of the collapsible wheel. recently we had a discussion about one which had slipped. In the meantime here is some pics from mine - hope this helps.
 

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here is the thread I was alluding to. some of the pics have been removed.

Steering Column
 
Thanks for your comments JP, and those great pictures, and link. Your bottom photo shows the thinner gasket/washer which I have in my cockpit.

The top photo is subtly different to how the column looks in my '79 model. It looks like you have some sort of extension collar where your three bolts are, while mine had the thicker washer instead.

The collapsible comments make a lot of sense, because the thick "ring" a bit down towards the steering rack would move up in a collision and be stopped by the thicker washer, thus allowing the collapsible piece inside the cockpit to collapse. Looks like I can have one made up and not lose any safety.

I found the photo below while trawling around the internet.

Thanks again.

Wazza
 

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OK . . . I give up . . .

I've been pulling the internet apart, I've contacted all the "big" Midget supply outlets, I've contacted all the Midget wreckers I can find, but I just can't find anyone with one of the thick washers I first asked about in this thread.

JP came up some photos etc, but unfortunately it appears that the 79 model had a different setup at the inside of the firewall. The thread that JP mentioned is for an earlier model to mine and the steering columns are entirely different.

Does anyone have one of these thick washers sitting on the inside firewall of a "donor" late model Midget? You can see the thick washer held on by three bolts quite clearly in the last photo.

The only thing I can think of is to get one made out of steel, but i'm not too sure if there is a "collar" which goes into the firewall to join up with the collar of the inside washer as shown in JP's second picture.

I can't go any further until I can put my mind to rest on this problem.

wazza
 
Don't have a late car, Warren, or I would give you a hand. I'm curious though----did you spend Christmas at the beach????


Kurt.
 
IIRC that is just a flat metal flange the holds against a shoulder on the column. I think it can be hand made with no problems.
 
Thanks for your replies. If there is no collar then I can get one made OK.

Kurt, didn't have Christmas at the beach, but did have it out the front of my place on the river bank. Kids jumping off the wharf and paddling their canoes.

Seems silly, but had a hot lunch, while the weather was in the 90's. Silly bloody Australians.

Wazza
 
middie said:
Thanks for your replies. If there is no collar then I can get one made OK.

Kurt, didn't have Christmas at the beach, but did have it out the front of my place on the river bank. Kids jumping off the wharf and paddling their canoes.

Seems silly, but had a hot lunch, while the weather was in the 90's. Silly bloody Australians.

Wazza
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Not silly to me, Warren, I've got relatives in NZ and hope to experience a GREEN christmas down your way some day!

Kurt
 
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